Read original article in Project Syndicate. The region’s drug laws are in desperate need of reform. To reduce the harm caused by the illegal drug trade while maintaining access to essential medicines and services, governments must stop punishing addicts. LAGOS – No matter where you look in West Africa, drug laws

Read original article on Reuters BY AARON ROSS DAKAR (Reuters) – West African governments should overhaul their drug laws to decriminalize personal use and prioritize treatment as a response to rising substance abuse in the region, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo said on Tuesday. In an interview before he was due

The Global Commission on Drug Policy – a group of eminent world leaders – has called for a rethink on drugs policy. They’ve released a new report saying the current attitude of stigmatising drugs is hindering effective policy-making, and argue that governments should be talking about ‘harm reduction’ rather than

by Commissioners Obasanjo and Grover South Africa has taken a lead in the HIV response, but HIV won’t be overcome until the country faces some hard truths about drug abuse and its own prejudices. South Africa has paved the way for evidence-based prevention, treatment and care. The country defied private

[Published in The Huffington Post, 9 January 2017] Mr. President, We wish to thank you for the great commitment you have shown to revisit the punitive approach to drug policy, particularly with regards to the pardon of low-level drug offenders. These individuals have committed no violent act, yet they have

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The purpose of The Global Commission on Drug Policy is to bring to the international level an informed, science-based discussion about humane and effective ways to reduce the harm caused by drugs and drug control policies to people and societies.

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